hello again :) so, this is the first installment in my series called "equals". essentially, this will be a collection of one shots embodying the moments, across time and universes, in which bulma and/or vegeta realize they've found their equal in one another. this first story is based in one of the many AUs that will be introduced in this series.
also, if people enjoy these AUs, I will continue the story lines that are established in these alternate universes :)
please read and review :) it always helps to hear back from the readers! much love, aj
disclaimer: i don't own these characters or dbz/dbs
"Look Vegeta, this is your great grandfather, Vegeta the fifth. He defended our planet from the Bourkans, a nasty race who attempted to assassinate his father. And this is your great great grandmother, Rugala, who formed an alliance with the Sirena. She once defeated five elite soldiers with her eyes closed. She was the last female born to the House of Vegetasei" His mother lists the facts with pride, gesturing to various portraits that line the grand hallway leading to his father's throne room.
At 18 years old, Prince Vegeta understands his role in this kingdom. Since he was a toddler, he wakes in the morning to attend class with his private tutors and then spars with his father. Later in the day, he observes the affairs occurring in the throne room, analyzing the Saiyan law system and learning his responsibilities as king.
One of his favorite parts of the day has always been his daily walk with his mother. Now that it is rainy season, they take their walks inside usually. When the hot sun is out, they traverse the gardens with servants, who hold great Baboo leaves above the heads of the mother and son duo.
"Do you see this painting here, nasi'ito? See the larger outline? There was a traitor within the royal family at one point. He shall not be named, but his portrait once hung here. But supposedly no one knows what happened to it." She wiggles her eyebrows at her son. Vegeta finds his mother's adventurous, slightly rebellious spirit to be refreshing. While his father is the more sensible one, his mother is the one who would stay up late at nights to tell Vegeta and Tarble stories of the ancient warriors, and of the golden Saiyan warriors who achieved the power of legends.
"You know what happened to the painting, right Eema?" The young prince inquires knowingly.
"Of course. It is in the royal archives." She waves her hand dismissively as she continues down the hallway. In front of them, the royal guards in front of the throne room shift their positions, signaling the turn of the hour.
"Okay, chou'chou. We must go in there before our allies arrive. Remember to sit up straight and please, try to be respectful." Her hand smoothes her son's cape and adjusts his golden royal insignia. Taking a step back to survey her work, she ruffles her son's hair and is rewarded with a scowl. Her laughter echoes the hallways as she enters they enter the throne room.
"Hurry, Ishshah'lina, the Earthlings will be here soon." King Vegeta sits on a large throne that is made of etched blue and gold stones. To his right is Queen Echalotte's throne, and to the left is Prince Vegeta's throne. Behind the throne platform is an enormous metal carving of the insignia of the House of Vegetasei.
Prince Vegeta follows his mother up the steps to where his father sits. They both incline their heads respectfully before sitting down in their respective seats. King Vegeta puts a hand on his son's shoulder as Prince Vegeta walks near him to sit down.
Vegeta dreads this day every year. Annually, the Brief family make a trip from their planet (called Earth, whatever that silly word means) and comes to Vegetasei, bearing weapons to provide to the Saiyans, who protect Earth as a form of payment. That situation would be entirely fine with Vegeta— but, the catch is that they always bring their insufferable daughter. Being that the Brief's blue devil of a daughter is a year younger than Prince Vegeta, they are constantly forced to interact. Vegeta shows up at a royal dinner? He's assigned to escort the witch. He attends a gala or a ball, and finds a mop of blue hair seated next to him. During the waltz, his mother practically throws him into the arms of the evil Earthling. It's absolutely revolting.
And as if his distaste for the female wasn't enough, the Earthling seems to despise him with a hate that matches his own, as if he is not the crowned prince of Vegetasei and she a lowly servant woman. The cursed woman is manipulative too, always acting like an angel in front of the parents, while gloating about her latest accomplishments with a sickeningly sweet smile. It makes Vegeta want to throw up. But this time, he knows he will outmatch her. He's been specifically training extremely hard in the past months, purposefully achieving accolade after accolade so he can shove them all down the blue devil's throat when she arrives.
A wicked smirk grows on his face, and for the first time he's almost looking forward to the Brief's arrival so that he can humiliate the female.
"Now son, you must be on your best behaviour. The Brief's arrival means a lot to our planet, boy." His father instructs. Vegeta rolls his eyes.
"I know, father." He answers, huffing.
"Vegeta, for once please obey your father's instructions. When he says this visit is important, he means it." The Queen hisses, something urgent in her voice. Vegeta furrows his brow, trying to see through his parent's strange behaviour, when the doors to the throne room open and the Brief's family enters. They walk in a line, the doctor in the front, followed by his wife. Vegeta assumes the blue harpy is behind her mother, and his assumptions are proven correct when he sees a blur of aquamarine hair.
Surrounded by guards, the Briefs approach, the black creature perched on the doctor's shoulder and the blond woman tittering. The royal couple stands up and the prince follows suite. stifling a groan. 'Here we go.' He thinks grudgingly.
"Greetings, Dr. Brief, Mrs. Brief, Miss Brief." King Vegeta booms, stretching out one arm.
"It's a delight to see you." The queen adds warmly.
The Briefs nod and line up, curtseying and bowing accordingly. Vegeta's father nudges his son's arm while the Brief's are looking at the ground.
"Hello, Dr. Brief and Mrs. Brief. I hope your travels went well." Prince Vegeta almost ends there, but continues after a stern look from his mother.
"And Miss Brief. Your hair is looking… bluer." He continues, disgust creeping into his voice.
The young scientist glares up at the young prince, lifting her chin high.
"My, it's always a pleasure, your highness." She spits out the title like it's venomous.
There's an awkward moment, before Mrs. Brief lets out a nervous giggle and King Vegeta clears his throat.
"Now, we hope you are all settled?" King Vegeta inquires, still standing.
"Yes, the accommodations are perfect as usual." Dr. Briefs answers.
"Splendid. So we can expect to see you in the dining hall on the half-hour?" Queen Echalotte asks.
"Spectacular!" Exclaims Mrs. Brief, clapping her hands.
The Brief group bow and curtsey once again, before making an about face to exit the room. Prince Vegeta deflates, happy that the greetings are finally over, but dreading dinner.
In a half-hour, the royal family is assembled in the grand dining room. Queen Echalotte has changed out of her formal battle armor into her night outfit, consisting of a strapless, deep red body suit, made of flowing material and accessorized with a black armored corset and black, fingerless gloves. On her head she wears her golden and red crown.
Vegeta's father's outfit compliments his wife's. He wears the navy blue battle suit, coupled with a white cape pinned with the gold insignia of the House of Vegeta.
Much to his dismay, Prince Vegeta was dressed in his most formal outfit: a navy blue body suit, a red cape, and his white and gold battle armor. Despite his protests, his mother insisted he wear the 'proper attire suited for a Prince of the House of Vegeta'. He had asked why he had to dress formally for Earthlings who won't even appreciate his attire. She simply ignored him and walked off to make sure the chefs were cooking everything correctly.
Now he sits to the right of his father, who is at the head of the table, with the blasted female sitting to his right. Everyone is silent during the first course, but the prince notices his parents are sharing looks and the Brief wife continues to titter more than usual. Prince Vegeta's eyes narrow, and he glances at the Brief daughter.
She appeared to the dining room overdressed. Strutting into the dining room with her off-the-shoulder silver gown trailing behind her, she flashed the prince a confident smirk. He scowled in return. As he yanked out her chair for her and she sat, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the way her aqua curls draped across her back. He would be lying if he said silver matched unpleasantly with her exotic coloring.
And the witch must know that her appearance has let down some of his defenses, because she keeps shooting him triumphant looks. He's about to stick his tongue out at her if she looks at him that way one more time, when his father thumps his glass on the table three times, signifying he wants to speak.
"Now, let's get down to the true business of tonight. Children, we have something to discuss with you." His father's voice contains a hidden secret.
"We are incredibly excited, kids. And we know you will both comprehend the severity of this decision." Dr. Brief interjects. Vegeta thinks he might explode if they refer to him as a child one more time.
"You both know that the Cold Empire is becoming stronger and stronger. The alliance between Vegetasei and Earth has worked up until now, but we both feel that the current predicament calls for more drastic actions. On Earth, Dr. Brief has been studying a Saiyan-human hybrid and has discovered that the child is genetically stronger and more able than either of our races." Queen Echalotte explains excitedly.
"Daddy, why are we talking about Gohan? What does he have to do with any of this?" The blue female looks at her father warily.
"Bulma, dear, we have come up with a solution to our issues with the Cold Empire. It seems the Saiyans do not have enough brute force to defeat them, and even our inventions are failing. So, we have decided to encourage intermarriage amongst our races." Dr. Brief elaborates for his daughter.
Something clicks in the Brief girl's mind, and her eyes narrow as she clutches the tablecloth.
"And what better way to celebrate this development than with news of the betrothal of you two children." Vegeta's mother smiles. There is a moment that seems frozen in glass, before Bulma Briefs stands up, fury in her eyes. Defiantly, she throws her fork onto the table.
"I don't know who any of you think I am, but I am not something you can use in negotiations! I've dedicated the entirety of my short life to Capsule Corporation, and this is how I'm repaid? Married off to the first royal brat who comes along! I can barely stand to be in the same room as this…. this devil, and you want me to MARRY HIM?" At this point, Prince Vegeta stands up as well, enraged.
"It's not as if I am pleased with this decisi-" She cuts him off.
"Save it, your majesty. I will never be a tool and I will never be your woman." With that, she throws her napkin at him and stomps out of the room.
As Prince Vegeta watches her storm off, he feels something in his stomach stir. No one has ever dared to speak to him that way. No one has ever dared to interrupt him. He is the crown prince of Vegetesei, heir to the throne and the planet and the riches. Most women would throw themselves at the chance to marry him. But no, not this blue whirlwind from hell.
Looking back from many years ahead, he knows that this was the first moment he knew he had met his match, and her name was Bulma Brief.
(i know according to the dbz timeline, Gohan couldn't be born when Vegeta was 17 and Bulma was 16, but this is an AU so I took some creative license)
nasi'ito: my little prince. i combined some spanish with hebrew to come up with that word.
(and yes, sometimes i imagine vegeta as le petit prince and i cry). i do not own le petit prince, mais merci, antoine de saint-exupéry, pour le livre incroyable.
eema: yiddish for mom
chou'chou: french speakers will recognize this one. this is my version of "chouchou", which means darling but literally translates to 'cabbage cabbage'.
ishshah'lina: combination of hebrew for woman and an italian suffix for "my little". so literally, "my little woman".